Propellerhead Software Reason 6.5 overview

Reason software was originally a set of virtual instruments with a built-in sequencer for quickly creating electronic type compositions. With the release of Reason 6.5 from Propeller Head, the software has taken on a maturity that includes audio recording. Users can record to an unlimited number of audio tracks, and record ready channels can be created in an instant. A comp editor assists in building the perfect track simply by selecting the parts that work and muting the ones that don't. Non-destructive time stretching allows for recording first and picking a tempo later, while non-destructive pitch change is done with a mouse click.

A fast and flexible sequencer comes with vector and tempo automation, count-in, multiple lane tracks and Blocks mode. The floating window provides fast access to those detailed editing functions used all the time; quantize, transpose, note velocity, note length and legato. When creating songs, many musicians tend to think of music in terms of intro, verse, chorus, breakdown, buildup, etc. With Blocks mode, the sequencer does too, allowing the sequencing of songs using a more pattern-based approach, with the segments of the song laid out in an arrangement as individual building blocks.

The ReGroove Mixer is a real-time, non-destructive groove management device that can lock all the tracks together into one unified feel, or different settings can be applied to up to thirty-two musical elements in a song. Rack Extensions open up the Reason rack to third party developers. While not a new plug-in format, they function in a similar manner in that they "plug-in" to the rack, but retain the same hierarchy as any other Reason component. Load them into Combinators, route cables on the back, automate all parameters, and experiment with the safety of undo.

Reason includes a huge sound bank of instruments, synthesizer patches, loops, and effects - over 4,000 instrument patches, 1,000 plus mixing/mastering effects, and nearly 3,000 loops. Many of the patches have been created by well know producers.

Instruments

Subtractor

Analog type polyphonic synthesizer based on subtractive synthesis, the method used in classic, analog synthesizers

Two oscillators produce basic waveforms like square, sawtooth, triangle and sine, plus an additional waveform based on samples

Dual filters, three envelope generators and two LFOs

Phase offset modulation

Transform the tonal characteristics of the piano with a single knob

Malström

Creates sounds using Graintable technology, which combines the best parts of granular and wavetable synthesis for results that are exciting, controllable and texturally varied

Merge multiple audio signals and process them with the same insert effect, or split an instrument's output into four and send them to four different effect processors

Spider CV splits or merges CV and gate signals

Split the CV signals from the Matrix Pattern Sequencer to trigger several synthesizers with the same pattern, or merge the outputs of several LFOs to create very complex modulation patterns

Matrix

Analog style sequencer with a maximum of thirty-two steps per pattern

Each pattern can be freely sized regardless of what time signature has been chosen in the sequencer

Resolution selector allows playback of the pattern in a range between 1/2 notes to 1/128th notes

Patterns can also be moved up or down a semi tone or one step left or right

Alter Pattern option

Ties and Randomize functions

Connecting CV and gate outputs from Matrix to a receiving device activates and controls the pitch of each note

Create complex LFOs for control of reverb decay, oscillator modulation, panning etc. or n use it for rhythmic synthesizer control

RPG-8 Monophonic Arpeggiator

Wide range of on-panel controls and mode selectors

Pattern section for muting selected notes in an arpeggio

Large display showing values and positions

Single Note Repeat function engages the arpeggiator only when two or more simultaneous notes are held down

Manual mode will arpeggiate notes strictly in the order they were input, for real-time arpeggio control

Combinator

Tool for combining and controlling devices or building unique instruments

Allows for building elaborate chains of Reason units - instruments, effects, pattern sequencers, etc., and saving them as Combi patches

When a Combi patch is opened, all units in the setup are instantly loaded, complete with sounds, settings and routings, making it performance friendly and perfect for both stage and studio use

Houses an unlimited number of Reason devices

Programmer window makes it easy to build thick, layered sounds using any number of synthesizers and samplers, or create keyboard splits for mapping out different instruments across a MIDI keyboard

Alternate between instruments using velocity splits

Dynamics and EQ

MClass Mastering Suite

Four separate mastering units designed to add power and presence to Reason mixes

MClass Equalizer is a 4-band mastering EQ with low and high shelving bands, two peak filters, and a low cut switch

MClass Stereo Imager splits the incoming audio into low and high frequency bands, each independently adjustable

MClass Compressor is a single-band compressor and features a sidechain input for advanced compression functions such as ducking or de-essing, a soft-knee mode for smooth, musical compression, and CV out for dynamically controlling other Reason devices

MClass Maximizer maximizes the volume of Reason tracks, without crushing them or introducing other unwanted artifacts

Limiter section with switchable look-ahead, for distortion free brickwall limiting, and a Soft Clip section for rounding out harsh transients

Pulveriser Demolition

Combines crunchy compression, distortion, a multi-mode filter and flexible modulation into a single effect

Apply parallel compression to bring out the details of a sample or recording

Use the envelope follower when recording live instruments for responsive, expressive filter effects